Whole School Matters draft manuscript
Community Matters draft manuscript
Getting Started on The Whole School Approach
MindMatters Recognition and Overview
MindMatters Planning Tools
School Audits and Surveys
Curriculum Links
Community Partnerships
Parents and Community
Community Partnerships in Action
CommunityMatters
Communities do Matter
The Self and the Community
Community Partnerships Workshops
CommunityMatters DVD
Community Partnership DVD
Past Events
Whole Student Approach
Student Empowerment
School Stories

Community Partnership DVD

Community Partnerships DVD_rainbow

Community Partnership DVD

The MindMatters Community Partnership DVD focuses on the journey undertaken to develop a healthy school–community partnership.

Making the journey

The journey to develop community partnerships takes different forms depending on the needs of the community. In a school–community partnership, school leaders and staff join with community members to identify the needs of students and build connections beyond the school.

The journey takes time…

The journey toward community partnerships takes time. It takes time to build trust and communicate effectively between students, and school and community members, especially when the focus is on the mental health and wellbeing of young people. Planning and organising community participation involves sharing ideas and undertaking activities that fit within the priorities of both the school, and groups in the community.

Five case studies: school–community partnership journeys

The process of developing school–community partnerships may involve different stages. The case studies show the stages of the community partnership journeys, taken by five schools and their communities:

  1. Making our commitment – the Armidale community, NSW, decides to work together to support the mental health and wellbeing of its young people.
  2. Starting from where we are – The Canberra community, ACT, explores ways to assist young people by providing an effective mental health and wellbeing approach.
  3. From strength to strength – Tamworth, Yaamanhaa Men’s Group, NSW, takes the lead to develop and adapt resources to reflect the needs of the school and its community.
  4. Spirit and engagement – Balga Senior High School, WA, applies a whole school approach to understand and support the diversity of its student population.
  5. In our own words – Ernabella Anangu School, SA, creates and uses culturally appropriate resources to assist young people to understand social and emotional health.

Each community develops its partnership for the mental health and wellbeing of students in response to its local community. The journey involves taking steps toward creating connections that benefit students, school staff, families and community members.

Community Partnerships DVD coverOrder your MindMatters Community Partnership DVD by email from Sue McClounan.